Flower Power: Peony History

The beautiful peony holds special significance in the history of Van Wert.  In 1930, a prominent local businessman, Charles Wassenberg, became interested in growing peonies in his backyard.  Soon his garden had expanded to cover 2 acres and he was selling and shipping peony tubers throughout the United States and to foreign countries.  Eventually it became necessary for him to move his farm to a 30-acres site on East Lincoln Highway.  During this time Van Wert became known as the “Peony Capital of the World.”

At about the same time, Van Wert began a celebration of the peony, known as the Peony Festival, drawing thousands of visitors to the area each spring.  Today, the festival continues the first weekend in June every year.